Protesters surround Australia's PM Julia Gillard

CANBERRA, Australia, Jan. 26 (UPI) -- Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard and opposition head Tony Abbott were rushed out of a Canberra restaurant Thursday after being surrounded by protesters.

As the approximately 200 demonstrators banged on windows to protest Aboriginal rights, Gillard tripped and lost a shoe as a security detail hustled her and Abbott to a waiting car, Sky News reported.

Gillard and Abbott had been participating in an event honoring emergency service workers on the nation's national holiday, Australia Day.

The two political leaders were in the building for about 20 minutes as protesters chanted "shame" and "racist," witnesses said. The demonstrators had been at a commemoration at the nearby Aboriginal tent embassy, marking the embassy's 40th anniversary.

At least 50 police, some dressed in riot gear, were deployed, The Wall Street Journal reported. Police said nobody was injured and no arrests were made.

The protest followed remarks Abbott made earlier questioning whether the tent embassy was relevant, the Journal said.

"Yes, I think a lot has changed and I think it's probably time to move on from that," Abbott said in a transcript provided by his office.